Embracing Our Inner "Them" - A January TR

[OziJo]

Hi Colleen. Just found your TR. Great start!! The lack of crowds in your photos in in contrast to ours.

Looking forward to reading more!

 

[Colleen27]

It's funny how you mentioned that such a small restaurant is in such a large building the restaurant is only in the bottom of it the rest of it was more shops when the Canadian pavilion first opened.

Another question why does everyone on the dis seam to get the chocolate moose for desert. I don't get it what is Canadian about it? As for the saltiness of the soup a lot of that probably has to do with the cheese used in it and the bacon.

I don't get the moose thing either. When I first saw pictures of it I assumed it must be a kids' dessert because of the cute factor. We live just across the river from Canada and some of my favorite places are across the border (many of them in your city, actually - that's where DH & I honeymooned, at the Delta Chelsea) and I've never seen anything to make me think that dessert is in the least bit Canadian.

Hi Colleen. Just found your TR. Great start!! The lack of crowds in your photos in in contrast to ours.

Looking forward to reading more!

We did run into some crowds later in the trip. At AK especially the crowds were surprisingly thick though the wait times were still reasonable. It was a little weird!

I think January is off my list of times to go - I hate the pre-trip weather-watching and hoping for warm days, and it wasn't as dead as just a few years ago where I was willing to take empty parks as a trade off for iffy weather and short hours. Of course, I may feel differently if we do pull off a May trip... the heat and crowds of Memorial Day weekend could very well change my mind.

 

[khertz]

The meal looks delicious!! That picture of your DB's steak has me craving some right about now. We have still never been able to eat at Le Cellier, but I would just love to try it someday. Maybe once DS is older...

That's great that the crowds were so low! Although I read in your latest response that it didn't last, and January was not ideal. We felt the same way about November, and I don't think we will choose to visit in that month anymore. At least not for the same dates that we traveled this year. I'm hoping October brings us more luck for the next two years!

 

[Colleen27]

Since we were in the area we started off with Captain EO. I talked my mom & Stitch into sticking around for it, because I knew Stitch would appreciate it in a retro/vintage George Lucas way. I know a lot of people aren't big fans of the show but I love it, not that I'd take the time for it every trip or anything but it is definitely worth seeing for the pre-digital George Lucas special effects and "golden age" Jim Henson Creature Shop aliens.

Once again Boo decided the show was a good place for a nap. She did that in March too so it didn't come as any surprise. That kid can sleep anywhere!

Then we said goodbye to my mom & Stitch and headed off for the UK.

I made Pocahontas a passport for this trip so she'd have a little extra space for notes from cast members to use in her presentation when she went back to school. So getting around to every Kidcot stop was top priority for the afternoon.

I cannot say enough about how fabulous the weather was, just beautiful blue skies with white fluffy clouds all day long.

The girls played a little hopscotch on the sidewalk art while Ken grabbed a Strongbow cider for us to share.

Then he took the girls over to the Kidcot stop while I browsed the tea shop for a bit. Every trip I pick up another variety of Twinnings to try, hoping I'll find one I like as well as the Constant Comment that I drink at home but can't get at WDW.

Alice was out with just a few people in line, so we stopped for a visit. Boo ran right to Alice and didn't want to let go. She's not all that familiar with the movie, but on her first trip she remembers Alice bending down to visit with her in her stroller. The furry characters were a bit intimidating on that trip but she loved that Alice came to talk to her and she's been a fan of the in-aprk Alice ever since.

Pocahontas got her first autograph on her purse too. She was selective about which characters she wanted, but Alice made the list.

Then DH & Pocahontas ran off to save France with Kim Possible while Boo & I got in line to meet Marie. The Aristocats is one of our minivan movies - VHS tapes that live in the van for long drives - so Boo is particularly fond of the kittens.

I never noticed this little detail before.

A picture perfect day.

We got in line to meet Belle & the Beast but while waiting for the Beast, Belle was walking the line talking to the people waiting and signing autographs. After chatting with her for a minute the girls decided they didn't really want to wait for the Beast and the photo op, so we moved on.

The line for Jasmine and Aladdin was long and Mo'Rockin had just finished their set so we didn't spend much time in Morocco. We knew we'd be back for a second day because Pocahontas wanted a henna tattoo but wanted to get it as late in the trip as possible so it would last to show her friends at home, so we figured we could see them then.

And at last we came to the highlight of Pocahontas' World Showcase adventure - Japan.

We spent a long time in the gallery, where the exhibit is still the same Japanese legends in pop culture display as we saw in March. This section was really cool - with the lights one way you only saw the crane scroll, and then the lighting would shift and you only saw the origami cranes.

We went up through the gardens beside Katsura Grill. This is one of my favorite places in all of Disney World, so peaceful and pretty with the waterfall and all the lush landscaping.

While Pocahontas and I were exploring, Boo discovered her new favorite Disney treat - kaki gori. In March she found them a bit difficult to eat - couldn't keep the ice on a spoon so she ended up making a huge mess trying to eat it like an ice cream cone - but now she's mastered that tricky ice-on-a-spoon issue and loves them.

By the time we left Japan the sun was going down, making for a beautiful display over the lagoon.

The moon was just a sliver over the temple.

There was one last thing we needed to do in Japan before heading back to deliver on our promise of a ride on Figment for Boo - catch Miyuki's show. Pocahontas just loved this!

When the candymaking display was over we headed back to the Imagination pavilion. Lines had Journey into Imagination listed as reopened so I didn't want to disappoint Boo by missing it because of the earlier close time on our first day in the parks. The app was correct as usual and we walked right on, then spent some time playing in the post-show area before riding a second time.

Boo loves this area even though she doesn't seem to be quite heavy enough to activate the sound-pads in the floor.

Twice was enough for now, so we headed out once again to finish our tour of the World Showcase, but not before buying Boo a new best friend.

Every trip she gets another character plush, a tradition started (a little morbidly) by the fact that the aunt who left us the money for our first ever family Disney trip loved Disney so much that her daughters used the parks' collection plush Mickey as centerpieces at the funeral luncheon and gave them to the children in the family afterwards. So we have that Mickey, now kept company by Marie and Minnie from when Pocahontas was young enough to want plush souvenirs, plus Donald and Stitch from Boo's first two trips. Boo knew just who she wanted to add to the collection this time - Figment!

He spent the entire trip either in the stroller or tucked carefully into my parks backpack with his head peaking out from the drawstring compartment "so he could see".

With Figment settled in, we were on our way again.

Time for a little photo limit break, but I'll finish up day one in the next post!

 

[Colleen27]

We started from Mexico this time, because Boo was asking for Donald's boat ride.

Pocahontas loved the wood carvings in the lobby of the pavilion. I don't think she'd ever noticed them before.

After finding Donald we continued off to China, where Figment made friends with a little froggy.

And I found a light fixture that I want DH to copy for my yard (I swear if he ever decides we should stop going to Disney it will be because he's tired of me telling him, "I saw this at Epcot, can you build one just like it?" )

It was a gorgeous night, still not cool enough for Pocahontas to want to wear her jacket. The moon was just perfect.

We stopped in Germany for another beer and some caramel corn.

I've somehow never noticed this before - the high fireworks from Wishes from the back of the World Showcase.

Having finished up her passport and collected an unGodly number of pressed pennies, Pocahontas decided she was ready to call it a night. We stopped in Japan and France for quick service take-out to bring back to the room with us for a light dinner, because no one was really feeling like a full meal after the huge late lunch at Le Cellier.

Of course we couldn't pass up Spaceship Earth on the way out. Boo loved it this time, which was a nice change from last trip when it put her to sleep!

We were leaving the park just as Illuminations started, and got right on a bus back to Pop.

Stitch was still down at the pool with DB, so we took the girls down to join them for a little while but we called it a night before it got too late because we knew we had an early morning ahead of us.

 

[OziJo]

Beautiful EPCOT at Sunset and at night

While Pocahontas and I were exploring, Boo discovered her new favorite Disney treat - kaki gori. In March she found them a bit difficult to eat - couldn't keep the ice on a spoon so she ended up making a huge mess trying to eat it like an ice cream cone - but now she's mastered that tricky ice-on-a-spoon issue and loves them

My DD3 loved the Kaki Gori too! We had shaved ice nearly every day in Hawaii but she said the one at EPCOT was the best

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I don't get the moose thing either. When I first saw pictures of it I assumed it must be a kids' dessert because of the cute factor. We live just across the river from Canada and some of my favorite places are across the border (many of them in your city, actually - that's where DH & I honeymooned, at the Delta Chelsea) and I've never seen anything to make me think that dessert is in the least bit Canadian.

I think the it looks cute factor is probably what leads people to order it. Personally I prefer the maple creme brule. But I think they should really change the restaurant to a keg and bring in bill miner pie.

 

[jenseib]

Gorgeous night at Epcot!!!

 

[NLD]

Here and reading! Sounds like a great first day.

Boo is so cute, and the outfits you make are spectacular!

 

[Colleen27]

I really dislike Studios. Of all the parks it is my least favorite from a planning standpoint because trying to fit in all the shows makes me crazy, and I think it is the least appealing from a theme/decor/details standpoint as well. It could be so much more than it is, and while several favorite rides are located there it just isn't a park I really look forward to the way I do the others. In fact, on our shorter trips it is the one park I skip.

It doesn't help that I'm not a morning person, and neither is Stitch. Or DH for that matter. And my brother... So when we got going for the morning my mom was irritated at my brother for not getting up, I was barely half awake, and DH was not my favorite person in the world because when confronted with two sickeningly energetic girls and a lump of a teenager who didn't want to crawl out of bed, he headed for his coffee fix rather than grabbing a kid to get ready.

This was another of those issues that made me realize values are no good for family trips. I don't drink coffee but DH lives on the stuff, and not having a coffee pot in the room make him significantly less helpful with the morning routines. He'd head down to fill his mug, have a cigarette and his coffee in the smoking area by the pool bar, and then fill the mug again before coming back up to the room.

But eventually we all made it down to the bus stop, and the bus pulled up almost as soon as we'd joined the short line for Studios.

We got to the park just a few minutes before 9 and the turnstiles were already open. Bag check was ridiculously thorough; somehow I ended up with a guard that even wanted me to open my zip-close wallet! But once we were past that entry was a breeze. The YES tickets don't require finger scans and there were no lines at the turnstiles.

The new entry procedure here is great. It is so much nicer making the walk to TSM at our own pace with plenty of room rather than as part of the herd that amassed at the rope under the old way!

The standby wait was posted at 20min, so we decided to ride first and grab FPs later. This was the first time I've gone through the standby queue, and the decor is really cute. An interactive queue would be better with the way the line builds for this one, but for a traditional queue the theme is beautifully carried out.

The talking Mr Potato Head was funny.

Stitch was avoiding my camera a little too successfully so far, so I snapped one of him as we were loading the ride.

Boo happily posed by her favorite game, Candyland.

After we rode, I grabbed a set of FPs for later and we all split up for the rest of the morning.

Pocahontas and I headed to the Premier Theatre to check in for the Ridley Pearson presentation. It was a very cool event!

I didn't really go into the presentation with very high expectations. It was an all ages event held for Disney's Homeschool Days/Youth Education Series individual enrollment and I thought it would be more geared to children, but Pearson is an excellent speaker and didn't talk down to the audience at all. As a sometimes-writer myself I really enjoyed listening to him talk about his writing process, and I think Pocahontas (who is a bit of a perfectionist by nature) really learned something important out of his description of the creative process, particularly the necessity of re-writes.

He also had some great stories about the access he had to the Disney parks when researching the books, including one about riding Small World in the wee hours of the morning with all the lights and music off. You could really imagine just how creepy that must have been, and the scene it inspired in the book was very creepy as well - the dolls come alive and attack the kids!

The presentation lasted about an hour with a question-and-answer session at the end, and the kids got a sneak peak at the cover of the upcoming 5th book that will take the main characters on the Dream and eventually to Disneyland.

We also got as part of our welcome packet a copy of the Kingdom Keepers Quest, which is a math and literacy based scavenger hunt through the Magic Kindgom that isn't ordinarily available to families/individuals, only registered youth groups of 10 or more, which was a very cool little perk. We didn't actually make time to do more than a few pieces of the quest on this trip, but it is with our leftover two-day tickets to take along on the next one.

While we were busy with the presentation, DM took Boo off on a morning of characters and shows.

They met Phineas & Ferb.

And saw Lightning and Mater, who Boo didn't really like all that much. I guess they just aren't as interactive as she expects characters to be.

Then they caught the Disney Junior show and met Jake.

Boo remembered the Little Mermaid show, which scared her a bit last trip, so they decided to skip that one and headed for the Animation building instead. Boo didn't want to wait for Sorcerer Mickey, who had a rather long line, but did stop in to see her new favorite bear (much nicer than Lotso ).

They had a little time to fill before the 11:30 Beauty & the Beast, so they stopped in to visit with a couple of dogs that were just hanging out on the street.

I don't have any pics from DH & Stitch's morning. They hit the thrillers and Star Tours, collecting FPs for Rock & Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror for Pocahontas and I to use later. DB met up with them at about 10am while they were still on their way over to the big rides, so he got to do those with them. We caught up with the guys a little before noon near Tower of Terror.

Shanna had to use the restroom, and while we were in there I started talking to a woman wearing a birthday pin. It really wasn't anything, I just let her know that the sink she was trying to turn on wasn't working and asked Shanna to slide over to share with me so she could use one that was, and I noticed her pin and said 'happy birthday'. Well, as we were leaving the restroom this woman introduced herself as Misty and offered to take us on Rock & Roller Coaster...

As it turns out, she was an "undercover" WDW CM. Her entire job (which sounds like heaven on Earth ) is to meet guests and take them on rides, evaluating the CMs she encounters along the way on things like checking for FPs, commenting on celebration buttons, smiling, and generally keeping up the magic. So we all got to ride Rock & Roller Coaster using the FP line without using our FPs! It was really nice chatting with her too because she had some great little stories about details in the parks, including the time she helped out a lost child in one of the parks who turned out to be Eisner's granddaughter. Talk about getting in good with the boss!

After saying goodbye and many thank yous to Misty we went back through the FP line to use the passes the boys had pulled earlier. Then we headed for Tower of Terror to do the same. DB and Stitch didn't really love the ride on their first go-round, so they headed off with two of the TSM FPs we had to ride that on their way to the early afternoon showing of Lights, Motors, Action while DH & I took Pocahontas to the doomed hotel.

Tower of Terror remains my favorite Disney attraction. It had been a long time since I rode. On our March trip Pocahontas decided she'd rather play in the ESPN Zone (and I'm very glad she did, since that turned out to be the last ESPN Weekend...). In '09 I was sick on our Studios day. In '08 I was pregnant and though my OB okayed morning sickness made me sit it out. In '07 we were only down for a few days and skipped Studios entirely. So the last time I had ridden was on our very first family trip in '05 and I was super excited to finally be riding again!

It really is the perfect ride experience, with every detail from start to finish so wonderfully in keeping with the theme and story, and all serving to increase the anticipation of the ride to come.

In the gift shop I picked up the Hollywood Tower Hotel mug I linked in my PTR for DH, to add to his growing collection of oversized coffee mugs. I really like that whole line of merchandise - it is a clear departure from the more homogenized offerings that seem to have taken over, both in originality and quality.

Time for another quick photo limit break... I'll have the rest of the day posted shortly.

 

[OziJo]

I can understand your DH's need for coffee but it's a bit tough for him to leave you getting everyone up and going in the morn. I'm the coffee drinker in my family and I was so glad to have coffee makers wherever we went. I would get up before everyone else and put the pot on. I would have one cup then wake everyone up and the morning would be a family effort. But I needed that coffee!!

ToT is a wonderfully themed ride. I'm so glad I did it as I was a little hesitant.

Sounds like you had a great day in DHS despite your reservations. You had your day well planned

 

[Colleen27]

By the time we were done there, everyone was getting a little hungry. We grabbed a chicken & ribs meal at Fairfax Fare, where one QS credit was enough to feed all three of us. The food was good - nicely sauced ribs and juicy chicken, flavorful beans and a lightly dressed cole slaw, and the pre-packaged carrot cake that is served everywhere but still rather enjoyable.

Just as we were finishing up DM called from the exit of Beauty and the Beast. It turns out Boo slept through the show! They were ready to get something to eat and we were headed for Star Tours, so they walked with us and found a table at Backlot Express while we hit the ride.

I love Star Tours 2.0! I used to ride the old one just once per trip because I'm a big SW fan and enjoyed the idea of the ride, but the simulator itself was enough to trigger just a bit of motion sickness so I never rode more than once in a day. Not that there was any reason with the old storyline. The new video is so much better quality and the simulator's movement so much more accurately coordinated that it didn't make me feel off in the slightest, and since the ride was basically a walk-on we rode 4 times in a row. I think we'd have kept going, too, if a big tour group hadn't joined the line just as we were exiting after our 4th voyage.

We went back to Backlot Express to get my mom and Boo, then headed off to Muppetvision.

Around the time we were exiting the show DB called to let us know they were looking for us (though from what I understand they mainly "looked" in the Star Tours queue ) so we met up with them near Writers' Stop where it was about time to get in line for the book signing anyway.

On our way we stopped in the Muppet gift shop because Pocahontas was on a quest for Muppets pins, and while we struck out on that count DH did pick up a small stuffed Perry for Boo. Her reaction when he gave it to her was just too precious - she'd already picked out Figment as her one stuffed animal the day before, so when he handed Perry to her she said "Two animals? For me? Really?" in this "I won the lottery" voice, like she just could not believe such a thing could happen.

I love the signs in the Muppets areas.

We met up with DB and Stitch, and DB was about ready to call it a day. He'd forgotten his "take as needed" pain medication in the room and was really hurting after a day of rides. He knew Pocahontas wanted to ride TSM with him, though, so he took her and two more of the FPs to ride once more then brought her back to me and headed back to Pop.

Meanwhile, I got in line at Writers' Stop for the book signing. It was a nicely run event. They had all 4 books in the Kingdom Keepers series available in the bookstore section of the shop, and I picked up the 4th for Pocahontas since it was the only one she didn't yet own. While I was there I also picked up a carrot cake cookie. I think this little guy was hoping I'd drop a piece!

Because Writers' Stop is so small they were only letting one family at a time in to meet Mr Pearson. We waited about 20min, but mostly because we were there before the signing actually started. That was Pocahontas' doing - to her, on time is late, and this was something she really didn't want to miss so we had to be early! But the time passed quickly and I had a nice chat with a couple from California about the west coast parks while I waited. I have got to get out there one of these days!

Before long it was our turn. Pocahontas was so excited! She got both her book and her purse signed.

After the book signing something really weird happened - we found ourselves at Studios, the park I find the most awkward for touring, with everything on our must-do list done and well over an hour still to kill before dinner.

DH really enjoys the Great Movie Ride, so that's where we headed.

The wait was posted at 15min, I think, but it was really more like 5. We walked straight through to the second row of the queue and were in the next group brought into the loading area. As usual we got the gangster side. I've never actually seen the cowboy storyline.

Boo was a little scared by the 'gunfire' in the hijacking scene but just covered her ears and kept watching. She loved the Wizard of Oz parts, though! She's a born performer and was happy to sing along with "Follow the Yellow Brick Road".

After the ride we decided to split up again. DM headed towards 50s Prime Time to find a bench to pass the time until dinner, and the rest of us headed back to Pixar Place. On our way there, I had to get what has become an every-trip picture of Pocahontas.

We had two FPs left for TSM, so DH took the big kids over there and waited while they rode. Pocahontas loved this - it was the first time she'd been on a ride without an adult! I took Boo over to meet Buzz & Woody while they rode.

We also ran into these guys, who creeped Boo out a little bit. I thought they were great - one was building a big, elaborate something out of drinking straws and the other was just wandering the area, 'playing' with guests along the way.

Then we headed for 50s Prime Time for our dinner ADR. We stopped by the hat for a few minutes to watch Mulch, Sweat and Shears. Boo just loves music of any variety and wanted to stay, but before long my phone was ringing because DH was at the restaurant waiting for us.

I'm going to wrap up here because I got a little sidetracked by Walking Dead and I'm about ready to call it a night.

Tomorrow, a 50s Prime Time review and a trip into the wilds of Animal Kingdom.

 

[dara00]

why haven't I heard of the kingdom keepers books?

have you read them? are they good? I requested the first one from my library!

 

[lledman]

The girls played a little hopscotch on the sidewalk art while Ken grabbed a Strongbow cider for us to share.

I think we must have just missed seeing you.

 

[Colleen27]

I can understand your DH's need for coffee but it's a bit tough for him to leave you getting everyone up and going in the morn. I'm the coffee drinker in my family and I was so glad to have coffee makers wherever we went. I would get up before everyone else and put the pot on. I would have one cup then wake everyone up and the morning would be a family effort. But I needed that coffee!!

That was the only day where it was really an issue, because it was the only day that rope-drop was non-negotiable. On our MK day, which was the other semi-early start we had, he got up a half hour before the rest of us to do his thing and get back in time to pitch in with the morning routine. Having that coffee pot in the room at the mods was so much easier, though!

why haven't I heard of the kingdom keepers books?

have you read them? are they good? I requested the first one from my library!

I hadn't heard of them until a thread on the Family board, but I was sort of familiar with Peter & the Starcatchers by the same author. I've enjoyed the books. They aren't like Harry Potter, which I was just as hooked on as my kids, but they're a fun read for Disney fans.

I think we must have just missed seeing you.

Too funny! We were told we just missed watching the artist at work, so we couldn't have been far behind you.

 

[DisMomAmy]

I'm glad you were having a great DHS day and made up for some not-so-great DHS days on previous trips!

Looks like the weather was warm! I'm so glad - when I was there last year in January it was FREEZING!

 

[Colleen27]

I'm glad you were having a great DHS day and made up for some not-so-great DHS days on previous trips!

Looks like the weather was warm! I'm so glad - when I was there last year in January it was FREEZING!

We had fabulous weather. There were a couple evenings too cool for swimming after the sun went down and by 1am on our MK night the kids were all glad for their hoodies, but we really couldn't have asked for better weather given the time of year.

 

[Colleen27]

Wow, I've been away so long I almost forgot where I left off! Having the next trip in the works, even tentatively, is not good for my trip report focus.

So, back to Studios.

We had a 5:35 ADR for dinner at 50s Prime Time. It really wasn't the time I wanted - I wanted something a bit later because I figured we wouldn't be done with the rides by then, but it was all I could get for 7 so I took it. It turned out to be perfect timing for the way our day went, and we had only a very short wait to be seated.

We were seated in the back of the restaurant at a table for 6 with a high chair on the end. It was a nice location, off of the beaten path, and though we didn't have a TV at our table we had two close enough to have a good view.

The wonder of this place starts with the drink orders - Stitch got a PB&J shake, but even better was the real flavored Cokes, not the pre-mixed fountain stuff. DM, Pocahontas & I all love real cherry Coke, and that was one of the things that we were looking forward to here. The PB&J shake wasn't my thing, but I don't like PB&J (weird, I know). Stitch and DH loved it. I was happier with my unlimited-refills cherry Coke.

Our server was Hassan and he was amazing, attentive and friendly and just in character enough without being annoying or over the top. He talked with both girls for a little while before taking our orders, and made them both up custom plates based on things they told him they like.

Pocahontas got fried chicken, all legs (5 or 6 of them!), with mac & cheese and green beans instead of the mashed potatoes and greens that usually come with the chicken. She dug in too fast for me to get a pic but she loved it! She also loved having a couple of chicken legs leftover to take back to the room for a late night snack.

Boo got a kiddie version of the same, along with the kids' chicken soup as her appetizer, but I only got a pic of her appetizer. She shared a little bit with me and it was really good, homemade style soup. Hassan also brought her extra crackers, which she loved because she dips them in the broth and goes through way more than the one or two packages most restaurants serve.

This was the only restaurant where we opted to order an appetizer out of pocket, because I'd seen enough photos of the onion rings that I wanted to try them. They were very good, crispy without being greasy with a good balance between onion and breading, and the portion was plenty for two (or more, but they're a "for two" app on the menu).

For our entrees Ken, Stitch and I all ordered the same thing - "A Sampling of Mom's Favorite Recipes", with a little bit of everything that sounded too good to choose between. Everything was excellent, nothing fancy but superbly prepared homestyle food. Stitch thought the meatloaf was the best; he always loves it when it is blended pork & beef rather than all beef. DH liked the fried chicken best, and he's something of a fried chicken expert. I liked the pot roast best, perfectly fork tender with julienned veggies and a wonderfully savory gravy. Stitch cleaned his plate, even the greens which he rarely eats.

DM ordered the blue plate fish special, which was grilled mahi-mahi topped with a mandarin orange based citrus compote, served with mashed potatoes and asparagus. I tried a bite and didn't love it; the fish was fresh and well cooked but I thought the orange a bit over sweet. My mom, on the other hand, loved every bite. Mahi-mahi is among her favorite foods, and asparagus is up there too so it really was a perfect choice for her.

None of us really had room for dessert, but so much looked good that we had to give it a try anyway. Stitch got the brownie sundae and actually managed to eat most of it! This was huge, easily enough for 2 or 3 people if paying OOP, and the brownie was warm and nicely chewy and absolutely smothered in chocolate sauce, ice cream, and a mountain of whipped cream.

Pocahontas and Ken both ordered the Boston creme parfait. I didn't get a bite of this but it sure looked good!

My mom & I both got chocolate shakes to-go for our desserts. No picture, but these were great, just chocolately enough and very thick and creamy. I only get a milkshake once every blue moon and this was perfect for that fix.

Boo didn't want a dessert of her own. She had the strawberries off of the parfaits, the cherry and some of the caramel corn from Stitch's sundae, and a little bit of my chocolate shake and was perfectly happy with that.

The park was already closed by the time we were done with dinner but the buses were still running. We headed back to Pop to find DB down at the pool relaxing. He said the computer pool was a little chilly but the main pool was much warmer, and it was a warm night so of course the kids wanted to join him. Ken & I put a little rum in our refillable mugs, topped them off with Coke, and sat at the edge of the Hippy Dippy pool while the kids swam.

 

[jenseib]

What a fun day. HS is my least favorite park as well. I did ride star tours in Aug. and it made me VERY motion sick. I am hoping it was just where I was seated as I couldn't see the screen very well.
I do want to try 50's primetime too. We had an adr there for Aug as well, but never made it.

 

[jecskc]

I loved your Prime Time review. We have a ressie there in April that I am really looking forward to. We also end up coming home with lots of plush animals as well. Our DD loves them. "Baby" Lady is the one she wants to add to her quite extensive collection. We give the kids a $50 gift card each for souvenirs and DD pretty much uses most of her money for plush toys. Looking forward to reading more !!